Paul in Romans 16:10-16 gives us a list of name that perhaps you may never hear a sermon or Bible study on it, because it is seen as just a list of names. But, is that all it is? What does this have to do with in knowing God's Will? This is about the will of God because being in and pursuing healthy relationship is essential. And foremost of all, our growing healthy relationship with Christ is the most profound engaging aspect that will lay out His will for us! The problem is we often forget the importance of our growth in Him. We forget those who contribute to our lives and ministry, not necessarily out of callous disregard, but out of our hurriedness of the moment, our focusing on ourselves and our needs over those of others. We should be careful to always be people who honor and acknowledge others!

John 15 is the most beautiful description of our relationship to our LORD. He wants us to be with Him! Just as Christ wanted the disciples along His side, training them, loving them, enjoying their companionship, He wants that of us: love, closeness, and relationship. This is our primary call and the will of the LORD. Everything else falls from this prime directive. He loves me! And wants to be with me! Do we want to be with Him? Do we want that close, loving relationship? Do we want to walk as Abraham walked, building altars?

In seeking God's Will means we must be following Christ which means for us an opportunity and call to give up our personal plans, the goals and our ambitions that we have for our future. Yes, it will be a difficult struggle to leave the plans of our family and friends -- our nets - behind and to humbly follow as a servant to give our LORD the glory with our obedience; doing what our LORD desires over our own ambitions. So, are you willing? Are you eager to do great things for Christ?

And when we follow through what Christ has done for us, by letting it flow to others around us, we bring the results of love and obedience. The deeper commitment we bring to our LORD, the deeper impact we have on the glory of His kingdom and people around us.

The key to the success of finding God's will for our life is simple: obedience, willingness to serve God over our needs, even before we know what the call may be! To totally surrender and trust in His power and authority. He will shape our destiny if we allow it. He will teach us His ways, if we walk in His ways. Trust yourself to our LORD!

THOUGHTS ON OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST

· God's supernatural power creates the impossible relationship.

· Let your relationship to God be as natural as taking a breath.

· Are we dictating our demands to God or are we communing with Him? See Colossians 1:24.

· There is always a smarter way for us to obey.

At first you may clearly see God's will, like breaking off a bad relationship, or changing a career from selling drugs to building homes; but in other areas, it may not be as clear. However, God will guide you by your faith.

Warning! God's name is not a magic word. He is not a divine bellhop where you can ask anything in His name as some people teach, but God is our focus of intimacy.

· Do not allow your stubborn nature to rule your will.

It is not what God gives to us that makes our relationship grow; it is Christ's redemption and who He is in me. Then, our call is to respond to Him.

· No one in the Lord is unimportant! The passages in Roams and John are a testimony to the importance of personal relationships, of cooperation, (working together for a unified vision and purpose,) and the value of encouragement, and why Paul takes the time to list them with a little explanation!

· It has been said that the service we give to others is the rent we give to live on this earth!

· The word servant in verse one of the Romans sixteen passage means a servant who waits on tables versus a slave, who is usually called a bondservant. This is where we get our word for Deacon (Acts 6:1-6; Rom. 12:7; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 2:8-3:13; 4:6).

The Holy Spirit was the author of Romans, Paul was His messenger, Tertius wrote it down on the scroll, Gaius let Paul work in his home, and Phoebe (who was possibly a businessman going to Rome) was the one who traveled a great distance to deliver the epistle. What does this mean, Christians are called to help one another in our "personal business", especially strangers, to glorify God and because we do not know what help we may need ourselves. This is His will! This is not being intrusive or nosey, but helpful when needed, in community and cooperation. Our human tendencies are to focus on the big names, the big position, the big vision, and those in the limelight, and not realize the scores of people who do the tough work. Or the fact we need to be detailed oriented too. Just watch movie credits and the hundreds of people it takes to make one movie, yet only the stars get the "real" credit.

So, if someone wrote a one-sentence summary of your life, what would it say?